1. My vet has told me my dog is diabetic;  what should I feed him?

Diabetes mellitus is the most common form of diabetes affecting dogs. The condition is three times more common in bitches, and affects approximately one in every 250 dogs. It is most often seen in dogs of 8 years and over, although younger dogs can be affected. Dachshunds appear to be particularly at risk of developing diabetes, but other susceptible breeds include Border Collies, Rottweilers, Labradors and Miniature Poodles.

Diabetes occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce or utilise adequate amounts of insulin. Insulin allows the cells of the body to remove glucose from the blood and to convert it to energy. The body tries to compensate for the lack of glucose-produced energy by using stored fats and proteins.

The symptoms of diabetes mellitus include weight loss and excessive hunger, thirst and urination. Treatment of the diabetic dog involves administering insulin by injection, with the daily dose being adjusted according to the level of insulin in the urine.

Vets recommend a diet based on an easily digested protein, low in fat and relatively high in fibre. The diabetic dog needs a consistent supply of nutrients at every meal with a high fibre content to ensure a more even absorption into the bloodstream to help regulate blood-sugar levels. Wafcol Light provides highly digestible chicken proteins coupled with a suitably high level of fibre and it has proved very useful in the management of the diabetic dog.

Most vets would also advise feeding three or four smaller meals per day as opposed to one or two large ones – the timing of these meals will be recommended by your vet, as it will depend on the form of insulin prescribed and the timing of injections.

Once the diagnosis has been confirmed and a routine of treatment established, most diabetic dogs can lead a full and happy life. [back to the top] 

2. My Labrador is overweight;  how can I help her to lose her excess pounds without causing her to suffer terrible hunger-pangs?

Obesity is the most commonly occurring nutritional problem seen in dogs – between one third and a half of all dogs in this country is thought to be overweight. You are quite right to want to help your dog – the overweight dog is far more prone to arthritis, heart disease, breathing difficulties, diabetes mellitus, reduced liver function, reduced resistance to disease and, almost certainly, a shorter life expectancy.

A dog of any breed can, of course, suffer from obesity, but some breeds are more prone to weight problems than others - Cocker Spaniels, Labradors, Retrievers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Daschunds are frequently overweight. The reason for obesity in the majority of cases is very simple: more calories are taken into the body than are used during exercise and these excess calories are converted into fat and stored in the body. The safest and most effective way to reduce the weight of a dog is to administer a calorie-controlled diet and to increase the level of exercise.

Wafcol Light Chicken or Wafcol Hypoallergenic Light Salmon & Potato are lower in calories and oil than standard dog foods but also higher in fibre to prevent hunger and consequent begging and scavenging. It guarantees a satisfying meal whilst still providing all the nutrients your dog needs for good health.

Even when your dog is on a calorie-controlled diet, you may feel that she occasionally needs a treat. You can willingly give her Wafcol Delights Light Biscuit Treats that are low in fat and an excellent alternative to standard treats that are generally high in both fat and calories. [back to the top] 

 3. Do any of your products contain Genetically Modified Ingredients?

Here at Wafcol we are very conscious of the current public concern with regard to Genetically Modified Ingredients. We make every attempt to ensure that our products are free from any Genetically Modified Organisms. [back to the top] 

 4. My little Westie is always itching and has really red skin; what could the problem be and what can I do?

Skin irritations are very common in dogs - up to 20% of all cases seen by vets are dermatological and the majority of patients are dogs! West Highland White Terriers are very susceptible to skin problems, as are Staffordshire Bull Terriers, German Shepherd Dogs and Boxers.

Skin problems arise from an inflammation or dermatitis which causes irritation to the dog, making them scratch with either their claws or their teeth. This can result in hair loss, more inflammation and more itching. If the itching breaks the skin, bacteria can invade the site and cause an infection.

Skin diseases can be very difficult to diagnose and treat. The symptoms of many quite different skin problems are often very similar and so accurately pinpointing the root of the problem can be an expensive and time-consuming process. Causes can range from fleas to mites, from an allergy to wool to drug hypersensitivity, from a food allergy to bacterial skin disease.

You must initially try to identify what is causing the dogs inflammation. Have you used a new dog shampoo, got a new carpet or changed the dogs bedding? Have you noticed any tiny mites, fleas or lice on your dog? If the answer to all these are no then investigate the dogs food. Does the food contain any types of gluten? This comes in the form of wheat, barley, oats and rye. Gluten is present in all these foods as a protein fraction. Gluten can irritate a dog’s skin and cause it to become inflamed and trigger the scratching/itching that results in the reddening of the dog's skin. An exclusion diet is the next step to try. It helps to identify what could be causing the inflammation. The Wafcol Hypoallergenic Dog Food range offer hypoallergenic diets. With recipes free from wheat gluten, barley, rye, oats, red meat, poultry,dairy products, soya and all artificial colours and preservatives which all can contribute to allergic dermatitis. Through experience we have found that once placed on the Wafcol hypoallergenic food the scratching subsides and the reddening of the skin disappears. If your dog continues to show signs of inflammation Wafcol produce three different hypoallergenic diets that eliminate other potential irritants in the diet. For example the Wafcol Salmon & Potato eliminates: wheat gluten, soya, maize, barley, rye, oats, beef, lamb, pork, poultry, eggs and dairy products, Wafcol Ocean Fish & Corn eliminates: wheat gluten, barley, rye, oats, beef, lamb, pork chicken, eggs and dairy products. The Wafcol Chicken & Corn eliminates: beef, eggs, barley and wheat gluten. Between the three hypoallergenic diets you will be able to see what is causing the inflammation and eliminate it from your Westie’s diet altogether. [back to the top] 

5. My pet Doberman has a really sensitive stomach; do you have a food to suit her?

Dobermans like a food that will not irritate their stomachs or aggravate the lining of their small/large intestine. This can be achieved by feeding a hypoallergenic diet. This reduces the number of possible irritants in the food and therefore prevents the recurring bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting that can occur with a Doberman. The Wafcol Hypoallergenic foods are all appropriate to use. [back to the top] 

6. I have a bitch in whelp; what food should I be feeding her?

The majority of foetal growth takes place during the last three weeks of pregnancy. It is essential to increase the total food allowance by 10% each week from the sixth week of pregnancy onwards. Therefore the bitch's intake at whelping is 40 to 50% more than she was at mating. She should be fed a highly nutritious energy rich food that is easily digested and absorbed. Our Wafcol Performance Greyhound Racing is a working dog food that is ideal. At 27% protein and 10% fat it provides plenty of available energy nutrients for the dog to cope with the increased demand put upon it. It must be remembered however that the pregnant mother will go off her food one or two days before giving birth. This is normal and should not cause any concern. [back to the top] 

7. My dog has terrible wind; is there anything I can do?

Gases are produced in the bowel, and are the result of bacterial fermentation of food. It is only natural for a dog to pass wind, however if this becomes an embarrassing problem it should be investigated. Monitor to see if your dog is scavenging outside or eating foreign debris. This can result in the intake of bacteria that can cause a digestive upset. The Wafcol Complete 20 Range in three flavours; Chicken, Beef and Original is an excellent all round adult food that will help to satisfy the dog's appetite and reduce the likelihood of him/her scavenging. Also try to reduce the amount of scraps and titbits given so you are in control of the dog's diet and it doesn’t become too rich. If the dog's diet is good and his/her motions are regular with no signs of diarrhoea you can try charcoal bones or biscuits. These help to absorb any unwanted gases and therefore reduce the likelihood of any unpleasant smells. [back to the top] 

8. My Bearded Collie suffers from diarrhoea; is there any way I can stop this?

The term diarrhoea includes the excessive passage of motions, and motions that are unusually soft or liquid. Non- specific acute diarrhoea is a common problem with pet dogs. It can be caused by consuming food contaminated with bacteria, or bacterial toxins, and is very common with dogs that scavenge. This type of diarrhoea generally only lasts a few days before clearing up spontaneously. Salmonella and Campylobacter are two types of bacteria that can cause serious inflammation of the intestine. If toxins or bacteria irritate the gut, food will pass through at an increased rate and not allow time for the reabsorption of water. Usually it takes between five and ten hours for food to pass completely through the digestive tract. Where there is increased motility due to bacteria, it can take as little as twenty to thirty minutes. The motions may look yellow/orange in colour; this is due to the bile pigments not being converted to stercobilin, which would give the characteristic brown colour. If apart from the diarrhoea the dog is fit and well and not showing signs of vomiting or depression simply withhold food overnight. In the morning feed a hypoallergenic diet therefore eliminating any irritants that may have caused the problem in the first place. Try Wafcol Hypoallergenic range. Continue to keep an eye on the dog's motions until you are happy with the consistency. [back to the top] 

9. I would like my dog to be a vegetarian; but shouldn’t he really be fed meat?

Unlike cats, dogs are not true carnivores. They are omnivores and could quite happily live as a vegetarian. Dogs have the ability to utilise vegetables, and convert the vegetable protein into usable compounds. Vegetables provide the essential vitamins and minerals that meat alone cannot supply. If you ensure your dog is eating a well-balanced complete food then there really is no problem with a vegetarian diet. The Wafcol Vegetarian is approved by the Vegetarian Society and is based on vegetable and cereal proteins. It excludes all meat and meat by-products without compromising the quality of the product and provides the dog with the full range of essential vitamins and minerals for an active and healthy life. [back to the top] 
 

10.My bitch is pregnant; what should I be feeding her?

You don’t have to worry about changing your feeding programme until after the sixth week of pregnancy. Prior to that the embryo has minimal nutritional demands on the mother. After the sixth week it might be better for the bitch to have small and frequent meals in comparison to larger more spaced out meals. The diet should be energy rich and be able to provide a good level of protein. Wafcol Working is ideal with 25% protein and 10% fat. The diet ensures consistent growth of the puppies at no detriment to the mother. [back to the top]

11. Do you have any biscuits for dogs on a hypoallergenic diet?

We manufacture a wheat gluten free biscuit called Delights. This is a treat biscuit ideal for any dog on a hypoallergenic diet who has an intolerance to gluten. It excludes wheat, barley, rye and oats. It also contains no meat, poultry, dairy products, artificial colours and flavourings. The treat biscuits are also fortified with flax seed that is an excellent source of Omega 3 fatty acids. They are an ideal treat for any type of dog on Wafcol Salmon & Potato, Wafcol Ocean Fish & Corn and Wafcol Chicken & Corn.[back to the top] 

12. My 13-year-old Labrador is on Wafcol Chicken & Corn - Special 21, my vet has told me she should have less protein as she has kidney problems; what can I do?

Kidney disease (nephritis) is a very common problem in dogs, especially elderly dogs. It is characterised by the inability of the kidneys to perform their normal function. The first signs of any problems are generally abdominal pains, blood in the urine and a swollen abdomen. Your dog’s health should be monitored closely, as kidney problems can be both chronic and acute. Most vets advise a low protein diet. This however has caused some controversy, as this can sometimes be detrimental to the kidneys. Damaged kidneys do not function correctly as they leak protein. If the protein intake is dramatically reduced the dog has to tap into its protein reserves. This will deplete its muscles dramatically and will cause the dog to lose weight. However a lot of research has shown that reducing the level of protein in the diet of a dog with kidney disease is very beneficial as it reduces the stress on the kidneys. It also slows down the rate of progression of renal disease. Wafcol Senior, Chicken or Salmon based foods are lower in protein. They are at an ideal level for the kidneys to function without too much stress and they minimise the degeneration of the disease. They are all hypoallergenic. [back to the top] 

13. My vet has told me to feed my two dogs a gluten free diet; what is it?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, oats, barley and rye. It is often identified as an irritant to many dogs. Gluten can be a factor in colitis, skin irritation, gut disorders, hyperactivity and behavioural problems. We offer a range of hypoallergenic diets for all lifestages including: Wafcol Salmon & Potato, Wafcol Ocean Fish & Corn and Wafcol Chicken & Corn. [back to the top] 

14. The vet has said my dog has Colitis; what is this?

Colitis is the inflammation of the colon. It can occur in all breeds of dog at any age but particularly affects Golden Retrievers, Border Collies and German Shepherds. In many cases it can be present in puppy hood. The motions are very loose, liquid like and contain jelly- like material. They can sometimes even pass blood. Motions are passed frequently, and often the dog has to strain. This can initially be confused with constipation but should be monitored, as this is a serious condition. Due to the nerve endings in the rectum being inflamed the dog feels as though the bowel is full. This causes the dog to strain and attempt to pass a motion. Our gluten free range of hypoallergenic products includes: Wafcol Salmon & Potato, Wafcol Ocean Fish & Corn and Wafcol Chicken & Corn. [back to the top]